2017 - What does it hold for the SS United States?

[ChrisUK]

Interesting article written by Mark Dent from BillyPenn.com

https://billypenn.com/2017/01/25/anchored-philly-will-probably-be-stuck-with-the-ss-united-states-forever/

What do you see happening with the Big U this year?

[June Ingram]

Very good article, but not at all encouraging.

[Chris Thompson]

I was able to visit the SS United States in Turkey whilst working on the Vistafjord in 1992.
We had a lecturer on-board who was personal friends with the owner of the ship.
We hired a boat to go out to the ship which was anchored some distance from land.
It took a while to find our way up through various stairways to the main decks where we ran into some
Norwegian engineers, once they established that we were not pirates! they gave us a tour of the ship.
Although there was no furniture the interiors were intact and in very good condition due to the work done
at Newport News to keep her preserved. Even the carpeting was in great condition and noticeably more luxurious
than that used today!
I have seen photos of here today and they are very distressing, really feel at this point that she
is beyond repair.

[Bob van Leeuwen]

After reading CasinoChris's story I do feel, sadly, the same about the SSUS feature.
It might be a money issue, but to me, if I a investor, the current state of the ship does not attract me to invest any time soon. Maybe the conservancy could start, at least on the exterior, do to some cleanup work, start to apply some paint here and there, maybe just even the funnels, I bet that there are people who would volunteer to do the job, and maybe even companies to supply what they need. This would show the would that she is not done yet.
Just saying how great here hull is, and it might be, is not something that is really visible at the moment.


I do believe, that here completely empty interior also gives plenty of opportunity for developers to come and apply there vision on what she would, for example, have looked today, if she had stayed longer in service.

[Hank Hargrove]

After reading CasinoChris's story I do feel, sadly, the same about the SSUS feature.
It might be a money issue, but to me, if I a investor, the current state of the ship does not attract me to invest any time soon. Maybe the conservancy could start, at least on the exterior, do to some cleanup work, start to apply some paint here and there, maybe just even the funnels, I bet that there are people who would volunteer to do the job, and maybe even companies to supply what they need. This would show the would that she is not done yet.
Just saying how great here hull is, and it might be, is not something that is really visible at the moment.


I do believe, that here completely empty interior also gives plenty of opportunity for developers to come and apply there vision on what she would, for example, have looked today, if she had stayed longer in service.

I asked about painting the ship, but because the ship is on government property, strict EPA rules apply, and they can't legally remove the lead paint without risking it violating some rules. Apparently natural weathering of the paint is fine. One person told me that they had mulled over asking a gift-wrapping company to cover the funnels with red white and blue cellophane, which would have been a unique way to draw attention.

[Trevor Harris]

I asked about painting the ship, but because the ship is on government property, strict EPA rules apply, and they can't legally remove the lead paint without risking it violating some rules. Apparently natural weathering of the paint is fine. One person told me that they had mulled over asking a gift-wrapping company to cover the funnels with red white and blue cellophane, which would have been a unique way to draw attention.

Cellophane?

[June Ingram]

Are you sure about the cellophane ?

[Trevor Harris]

Are you sure about the cellophane ?

I'm pretty sure cellophane would eventually flap in the wind..

[ChrisUK]

Are you sure about the cellophane ?

I'm pretty sure cellophane would eventually flap in the wind..

Which might be why we have yet to see the funnels wrapped in it 

However, it's encouraging to see the Conservancy has been exploring all possible renovation options.

No news updates apart from fundraisers recently though. I think the money gifted from Crystal Cruises would run out by the end of March though.... time will tell.

[Hank Hargrove]

Are you sure about the cellophane ?

Yes, that's what a member of the Conservancy told me one of the ideas had been to generate some publicity. Of course, it didn't happen, buy it does sound funny though. Lol.

[Trevor Harris]

Yes, that's what a member of the Conservancy told me one of the ideas had been to generate some publicity. Of course, it didn't happen, buy it does sound funny though. Lol.

To me it's a waste of cellophane. Imagine all the food you could wrap with it.

[Chris Thompson]

Interesting report on Fox news this morning......

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/01/26/once-majestic-cruise-ship-s-s-united-states-could-be-americas-flagship-once-again.html

[Rob Lightbody]

Interesting report on Fox news this morning......

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/01/26/once-majestic-cruise-ship-s-s-united-states-could-be-americas-flagship-once-again.html

Its a nice piece, but no real news.... Trump won't be interested unless its guaranteed to make him lots of money...

[ChrisUK]

I've been following the progress of the Conservancy's plight for over 8 years now and I think in all honesty, this year will be the year we see her fate decided.

After numerous 'last call' fundraising campaigns and occasional news items - I have a feeling momentum has come to stop now for the Big U.

It's sad - of course it is. But based on last years news that the Conservancy entertained the idea of sinking her as a barrier reef, that to me is a sign of options running out.

With the recent Queen Mary repair costs, any potential investors doing market research would surely be alarmed by the proposed $millions it costs to just maintain a vessel of that size. So when you consider the initial investment needed of $250-300m to bring her back to life, it seems unlikely to me that any cash rich investors will come forward.

Luckily - QE2 has finally had some movement and it's exciting to see what happens this year with her recent overhaul. However, I'm waiting with baited breath on that one too until we have an opening date confirmed.

I love the concept of having the  Big U as a floating hotel and museum at an original New York pier. Imagine disembarking off a cruise in New York and staying in a real, classic, ocean liner hotel, right on the river front? There would surely be money in that?

Which now presents a question - what will happen next? Can you afford to donate anymore money? What do you see happening to the Big U?

Would you rather she was scrapped? Or sunk as one of the biggest purposefully sunk barrier reefs out there?

For me, I quite like the idea that she rules under the waves for years to come. At least she won't be cut up and she will provide ample marine life with a new home. Plus - that'll be one heck of a fun dive experience. Imagine swimming through the promenade decks for example lol. The video of her controlled sinking alone would be pretty impressive.

I look daily for any news updates, articles, tweets etc. - but its never anything new and always 'did you know she did this?'. Well yes I did - because you've reposted that several times over the years. I feel for the Conservancy, who have valiantly tried to do all they can and they have to be commended for their dedication, but it doesn't seem to be working (in public at least). I just wish I had billions and I would of course, stepped up and saved both QE2 and Big U and brought them both back to life as floating hotels or something like that! (I can only dream lol)

I recall reading that the Port Authority in Philly have also said that although they don't object to her being berthed there for the last 20+years, it would be great to see that dock returned to active service. So who knows what will happen on that front, even if they continue to finance the docking fee's.

I don't know. I just want to see something happen with her. She can't remain there forever. She'll just be even more deteriorated and even less of an attractive prospect.

So what will happen next? We will just have to continue waiting I guess.

[Oceanic]

I've been following the progress of the Conservancy's plight for over 8 years now and I think in all honesty, this year will be the year we see her fate decided.

After numerous 'last call' fundraising campaigns and occasional news items - I have a feeling momentum has come to stop now for the Big U.

It's sad - of course it is. But based on last years news that the Conservancy entertained the idea of sinking her as a barrier reef, that to me is a sign of options running out.

With the recent Queen Mary repair costs, any potential investors doing market research would surely be alarmed by the proposed $millions it costs to just maintain a vessel of that size. So when you consider the initial investment needed of $250-300m to bring her back to life, it seems unlikely to me that any cash rich investors will come forward.

Luckily - QE2 has finally had some movement and it's exciting to see what happens this year with her recent overhaul. However, I'm waiting with baited breath on that one too until we have an opening date confirmed.

I love the concept of having the  Big U as a floating hotel and museum at an original New York pier. Imagine disembarking off a cruise in New York and staying in a real, classic, ocean liner hotel, right on the river front? There would surely be money in that?

Which now presents a question - what will happen next? Can you afford to donate anymore money? What do you see happening to the Big U?

Would you rather she was scrapped? Or sunk as one of the biggest purposefully sunk barrier reefs out there?

For me, I quite like the idea that she rules under the waves for years to come. At least she won't be cut up and she will provide ample marine life with a new home. Plus - that'll be one heck of a fun dive experience. Imagine swimming through the promenade decks for example lol. The video of her controlled sinking alone would be pretty impressive.

I look daily for any news updates, articles, tweets etc. - but its never anything new and always 'did you know she did this?'. Well yes I did - because you've reposted that several times over the years. I feel for the Conservancy, who have valiantly tried to do all they can and they have to be commended for their dedication, but it doesn't seem to be working (in public at least). I just wish I had billions and I would of course, stepped up and saved both QE2 and Big U and brought them both back to life as floating hotels or something like that! (I can only dream lol)

I recall reading that the Port Authority in Philly have also said that although they don't object to her being berthed there for the last 20+years, it would be great to see that dock returned to active service. So who knows what will happen on that front, even if they continue to finance the docking fee's.

I don't know. I just want to see something happen with her. She can't remain there forever. She'll just be even more deteriorated and even less of an attractive prospect.

So what will happen next? We will just have to continue waiting I guess.

Sadly I believe the future of the United States is to simply continue to rot in Phillidelphia; the Crystal debacle solidified that view, they were serious with regards to renovating her but even they viewed the challenge too great to overcome.